Orthorexia is on the rise.
When Healthy Eating Becomes Harmful: Understanding Orthorexia At Mountain Valley Counseling, we often see clients who come to us not because they want to give up their healthy habits—but because those habits have started to take control of their lives. One lesser-known but increasingly common issue is Orthorexia Nervosa, an unhealthy obsession with eating only foods that are perceived as healthy, pure, or clean. What Is Orthorexia? Orthorexia is not officially recognized as a distinct eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but many clinicians acknowledge its serious impact. The term was coined in 1997 by Dr. Steven Bratman to describe an extreme fixation on healthy eating. Unlike other eating disorders that focus on quantity (like anorexia or binge eating), orthorexia focuses on quality. It’s not just about avoiding sugar or processed foods—it’s about a rigid mindset that labels entire food groups as “bad,” leads…
Creating joy around the holidays for yourself
Making the holidays enjoyable for yourself is all about being intentional with how you spend your time, energy, and resources, and not feeling pressured by external expectations. While it’s easy to get swept up in the busy, social, and often overwhelming nature of the season, you have the power to create a holiday experience that truly nourishes you. Here are some ideas for making the holidays more enjoyable and fulfilling for you: Focus on What Brings You Joy The holidays don’t have to look like a Hallmark movie or the picture-perfect social media posts you see online. Instead, think about what truly brings you happiness and peace. Is it cozying up with a good book? Spending time outdoors? Cooking your favorite comfort food? Find small, simple pleasures that make the season feel meaningful to you, rather than trying to meet others’ expectations. Tip: Make a list of things you enjoy…
C-PTSD and PTSD. Similarities and differences
Understanding the nuances between C-PTSD, PTSD, and Trauma As a mental health professional and the owner of Mountain Valley Counseling, I often encounter individuals who struggle with the effects of trauma in various forms. Two terms that frequently arise in my practice are Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). While both conditions stem from experiences of trauma, they manifest differently and can lead to various emotional and relational difficulties, including anxiety and depression. Understanding these differences and similarities is crucial for effective treatment and healing. PTSD is typically caused by a single, traumatic event, while C-PTSD is usually caused by long-term or repeated trauma. C-PTSD can develop from childhood trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or witnessing a kidnapping. It can also be caused by other types of trauma, such as living through war, being a prisoner of war, or experiencing chronic intimate partner violence. Often people…
Understanding Gaslighting and Its Impact on Mental Health Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where a person or group seeks to make someone doubt their own perceptions, memories, or reality. This term, derived from the 1944 film “Gaslight,” where a husband manipulates his wife into questioning her sanity, has become a widely recognized concept in discussions of emotional abuse and manipulation. Gaslighting can occur in various relationships, including romantic partnerships, friendships, family dynamics, and workplace settings. Definition and Mechanisms of Gaslighting Gaslighting involves a series of manipulative tactics aimed at undermining the victim’s sense of reality. These tactics include denying facts, minimizing the victim’s feelings, and presenting false information as truth (Stark, 2018). The ultimate goal is to destabilize the victim’s perception of reality, thereby gaining control and power over them. Gaslighters often use subtle and gradual methods to erode the victim’s confidence in their own thoughts and…
Back to School
Are your kids struggling with back to school anxiety? Here are some great tips to help.
Anxiety and stress.
Calming yourself.
More things involve trauma than one would think. Check out this great video.
The implications of trauma. Substance abuse, addictive behaviors, anxiety, depression etc.
What gets played out in relationships?
Understanding relationships and where anxiety in them comes from.
What is social anxiety really about?
Social Anxiety.
One way to deal with panic attacks and anxiety.
Panic Attacks.